Drawing on the writings of Nicholas Culpeper, the 17th-century herbalist, apothecary and astrologer, this updated, accessible introduction celebrates the holistic medical traditions of the West, and places Culpeper in his appropriate context as one of the forebears of modern holistic medicine and a prophet of the NHS. An extensive new introduction to the work comments on the latest research and developments in the area.The book traces the development of the Western holistic medical tradition from its origins in the natural philosophy of Ancient Greece to the work of Culpeper himself. It describes and explains the relationship between the four elements, the four humours and the four constitutional types: sanguine, choleric, melancholic and phlegmatic, as well as explaining the functional relationships of organs and body systems. The book explores the interconnectedness of psyche (mind) and soma (body) and includes a section on herbal medicine and therapeutics with a study of 20 common herbs, dietary suggestions and uses for culinary herbs. It also provides accessible information on astrology and the importance of the horoscope for holistic patient assessment. The book looks at the holistic approach to the preservation of health and prevention of disease, with explanations of the various disease states, their humoral medical diagnosis and treatment.An authoritative insight into the expanding world of holistic medicine, this book is an indispensable resource for medical herbalists, students of herbal medicine and all those interested in Western holistic medicine and its origins.
Introduction to the New Edition. Part 1. A Student of Physick and Astrology: The Life and Death of Nicholas Culpeper (1616-1654). Part 2. Western Holistic Medicine. Section 1. The Seven Natural Things and the Constitutional Basis of Medicine. Section 2. The Preservation of Health and the Prevention of Disease. Part 3. As Above, So Below: Astrology, Medicine and Hermetic Philosophy. Part 4. The English Physician: Herbal Medicine and Therapeutics. Appendices. The Natal Horoscope of Nicholas Culpeper. The Horoscope of 1651. Notes. Glossary. Useful Addresses. Index.
The book contains a depth of information and wisdom that makes it a minefield of forgotten knowledge... There are tables and illustrations of astrological charts an photographs. The writing style and font is easy to read and the topics are organised into clear sections... The author, Graeme Tobyn (...) has been practicing medical herbalist for over two decades. he lectures internationally and is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Herbal Medicine.... the book traces the development of the Western holistic medical tradition from its origins... Overall, this book provides a useful source for those practitioners of herbal medicine, astrology and homeopathy who have the curiosity to seek a deeper understanding of their patients.
